Page 101 of Bratva Bride

Ivana manages a small, wry smile. “It’s fine. Your man Maksim was waiting for me, just like you said he would. He’s…quite a nice man. Took really good care of me.” She blushes, lowering her eyes. For a moment, I see something lighter in her—a sliver of hope.

Konstantin and I exchange a glance, the shared relief making my chest ache.

I shift, finding Ivana’s gaze again. “What I don’t understand is why and when Kirov switched sides,” I say.

Ivana’s smile fades. “You’re too good to understand it, Nadya. Kirov has always been a snake. Whoever dangled the biggest reward, that’s who he served.”

A wave of guilt presses in. I reach for her hand, squeezing it gently. “I’m sorry, Ivana. I can’t reverse what happened, but I promise I’ll always be there for you, from now on. For both of you.”

Ivana nods, tears brimming but unfallen. The baby stirs in Konstantin’s arms, and Ivana takes the him back and leaves the room.

Without her, the room feels quiet and strangely still, the hospital’s distant noises fading into a hush. Konstantin sits beside me, his hand resting on my blanket, eyes following the closed door as if he’s bracing for another twist.

I turn to him, gathering what little strength I have left. There’s one more thing, one truth I’ve carried alone for too long.

“There’s something else I didn’t tell you,” I say softly.

He looks at me, his jaw tightening, his eyes searching my face for some new shadow or secret. “Nadya?” His voice is careful, almost wary, as if the ground beneath us could give way again.

I reach for his hand, threading my fingers through his, needing to feel his warmth. I take a breath. “I’m pregnant.”

For a heartbeat, he’s silent, and I can see his world shifting behind his eyes. The worry, the exhaustion, all of it mingling with something raw and shining and new.

His hand tightens around mine. A tear slips free, unashamed. “You’re sure?” he asks, voice breaking.

I nod, smiling through tears of my own. “I’m sure.”

He pulls back just enough to look at me, his eyes wet, voice shaking. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

I search his face, every line carved by worry and love and fear, and I manage a small, exhausted smile. “Because if I had, you would have never let me go off to that ship on my own.”

His breath catches. He shakes his head, but there’s no anger in it, just awe and an aching tenderness. “You’re right,” he says softly, brushing my hair away from my face. “I never would have.”

I squeeze his hand and lean into him, letting myself finally feel safe. “I needed to do it, Kon. For Nikolai. For us. For me.”

He closes his eyes and presses his forehead to mine. “You’re stronger than all of us put together, Nadya. I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” I say, tears brimming in my eyes.

I let myself rest in the circle of his arms, the warmth of his breath at my temple, the rise and fall of his chest beneath my cheek.

THE END